A new generation of baseball players is making a name for themselves this summer in the East End.
The Hampton University Baseball League offers everything from big-name appearances to pathways to the MLB, all while providing a refreshing atmosphere on Long Island.
“My friends are playing in leagues way out in the sticks and they’re not enjoying it at all. But here, it’s fantastic,” said Lincoln Oelschlager, a pitcher with the Sag Harbor Whalers, originally from Seattle.
Oelschlager, a student at Pomona College in Southern California, remarked, “This might be the best spot for summer ball anywhere.”
The Hamptons League serves as a local affiliate of the MLB, stepping in as a substitute for the renowned Cape Cod collegiate summer league.
Similar to the New England Hamptons, this area has produced around 600 MLB-drafted players, including notable major leaguers like Diamondbacks pitcher Corbin Burnes, with 112 of those players having made it to the major leagues.
Real Hit
Manager Kyle McLaughlin of the Riverhead Tomcats highlighted that the Long Island League unearths talent that might otherwise go unnoticed.
“The Cape Cod League typically showcases top Division I players, but here the range is much broader, including everything from D1 athletes to junior college players,” he noted.
“This gives many local Long Island talents a chance to compete on the same level as players from the Cape.”
McLaughlin noted that his team is focused on Long Island-based college athletes from schools like Hofstra, Adelphi, LIU, and Stony Brook.
Outfielder Richie Heeder, who plans to play for the Seawolves next season, mentioned, “I know coaches are watching the league closely, and it’s clear they want us to move up and keep working hard.”
But it’s not just commuter-style teams. The Whalers, Southampton Breakers, North Fork Ospreys, and Shelter Island Bucks offer more than just local talent.
Players from around the globe are also welcomed to share a memorable summer here, including Luis Sarto Takeshi Miyajima from Madrid, Spain.
Miyajima traveled to the U.S. for the first time to join the Whalers, swim in the ocean, attend his first Mets game, and try Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers.
As is customary for many out-of-town players, he stays with a host family, who often provide their own unique benefits.
Collegiate teammate Tommy Shaw, who plays for the Castleton Spartans in Vermont, shared that he chose to stay in a dorm with friends in Montauk, balancing beach outings with a busy schedule of six games a week.
“Montauk Downs has an amazing golf course,” Shaw added, noting his involvement in local basketball games as well.
“Every day I come to the field, kick the ball around, and enjoy it all. I can’t complain,” he continued.
Oelschlager knows the area well too; his friend’s host father often takes boats to Montauk for relaxing days at sea.
Cruel Summer
League president Sandy Cruel plays a vital role in helping players find housing and jobs, such as offering lessons and landscaping work between games.
“We do a lot of door knocking,” Cruel, a longtime supporter of East End baseball, explained.
Years ago, Cruel’s sons played for the Whalers, and her brother built a charming wooden dugout at their home base in Mashasimuet Park, where Hall of Famer Karl Yastrzemski played as a child.
Her dedication to the league has endeared her to both affluent locals and renowned players with ties to Long Island.
“Jerry Seinfeld was a big supporter,” Cruel said, recalling visits from the Massapequa Park native.
Additionally, she noted that Billy Joel, from Hicksville, often chats with players at a local sushi restaurant.
“He enjoys talking to the kids on weekday afternoons,” Cruel said, describing his engaging conversations.
McLaughlin mentioned that Dwyane Wade, who recently bought a home in North Fork, has been seen at games, along with LeBron James and Kevin Love shooting hoops nearby.
Cruel added that players once gathered in their dugout to watch Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck play tennis right behind the right field seats at Sag Harbor.
Yet, it’s the community that truly makes players feel celebrated.
“The best part, honestly, is the little kids,” Oelschlager said.
“They think we’re big leaguers, but we’re really not. Still, it makes you feel like a celebrity.”
